Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1887-09-22
STROKE OAR.

"Have you been in town long,
Mr. Darell;'
1.-TWO weeks, Mrs. Drummond,
and a very stupid place find it,"
"Well, YOU must come over and
sec us. Ray and thought we
would prefer the Grand Union this
year, and so did Lord Denham.
Come tonight"
The Young man bowed and the
lady swept by him and into the great
Saratoga hotel, while he watched
her disappear with a smile.
One year ago Ray Dmmmond
was his ailianced wife. Then he
was the anticipated possessor of
half a million, but his uncle bad
made new will and left his estate
TO charity.
a week alter the result Of the will
was known Darrell had received a
curt epiStle from Mrs. Drummond
stating that under the circumstances
of course the wedding could not
come of, aud offering her sympa-
thy and her daughters for his dis
appointment Since then il was
currently reported that Lord Den
ham, venerable noblcman Just
over, had won Ray Drummond's 5
hand.
This was the condition Of affairs
when John Darrell walked over TO
the Grand Union that evening, and
Mrs. Drummond introduced him
with flourish to wizened- up little
man of over 60 with the words:
ALLOW me, Lord Deuham, TO
make you acquainted with Mr. Oar
ell, friend of ours, and stroke oar
of the y. club" /" said Mrs. Drum
mond, in her politest manner
MY lordw was inclined TO be
patronizing, but this did not annoy
his companion. He tried 10 keep
his eyes from wandering to the 9th
er end of the piazza, where Ray, ner
regal beauty made more regal by
black silk and diamonds, stood quite
alone. John knew she had seen
him, and on that account had come
no further with her aged lover
My lord expressed himself quite
delighted with the idea of a social
whist party, and suggested that Ray
be notified Of the intention
"Allow me-" said John, rising
and in a moment more he stood by
the side Of the woman who had
I Tilted him and the woman he loved
best in ali the world. "My lord re-
quests, MISS Drummond, that YOU
join our party for game Of whist,
and that ] cscortyou 10 your parlor, "
nc said, in low, earnest tones with
which she was familiar.
a very pale face and a pair OF
blanched lips were turned for a sec
ond bescechingly toward him; then
the owner ofthem said, with a slight,
nervous laugh:
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Darrell,
but you came so unexpectedly upon
me that you quite frightened me"
and then, after a pause Lord Den.
ham seems unusually tickle this even
ing. ] thought he had quite decided
to spend the remainder Of the even
ing with some friends at the Clar-
enden"
Bulwcr says "tbat the great aim
Of a philosopher is 10 reconcile ev-
cry disadvantage with some coun-
terbalance of good. Where nc can
not create this, he should imagine
IT,"
This theory John had theoretically
indorsed 1t seemed 20 him that
Notwithstanding the Disadvantages
Of his position Ray still loved him.
To his delight he had her for q
partner in the game, and together
they succeeded in defeating Mrs.
DrummOnd and Lord Dcnham
John did not offer to touch the
ladies hands at parting, though he
longcd- and hated himself for long
ing-to take Rays hand in his lie
had conquered Mrs. Drummond
and mystcfied Ray. There had been
nothing in his manner to indicate
the existence Of any feeling. That
he was sure Of. Now he would
keep his distance. ard while aware
that Ray had not changed, be would
offer no obstacle to her marriage
with the obiecLOl her and her moth.
cr's AMBITION
lie had beaten Mrs. Drummond
with her own weapons, but why
she should have assailed him at al
under the circumstance was a pro-
found mystery.
The day before the regatta, and IL
seemed as if half Saratoga was on a
visit to the borders Of the lake. The
boat houses were bcsiegcd by young
ladies, all eager to have a look at
the young men who were to partic-
ipatc in the next days race. Ray